Bad Bunny’s Journey: Controversy, Music, and Activism

The NFL often faces backlash over its choice of Super Bowl halftime performers, yet no one has stirred up quite as much debate as Bad Bunny. As an international icon and a proud Puerto Rican, he has filled stadiums everywhere, made movie appearances, clinched the WWE Championship, and even hosted Saturday Night Live. If you’re unsure about the drama in his career or his performances, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known as Bad Bunny, hails from Bayamon, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Coming from a working-class background, his father was a truck driver, and his mother taught school. Raised in a devout Roman Catholic household, he sang in the church choir until he turned 13, when his musical interests began to shift. He became captivated by Puerto Rican hip-hop and traditional salsa music. His stage name originated from an inside joke with his mother, stemming from an incident where he was dressed in a bunny costume as a child—a memory that still frustrates him to this day. This marked the beginning of his music-making journey, catching the attention of record producers online.

At the age of 22, Bad Bunny signed with a record label and dropped his first major hit, “Soy Peor,” which climbed to number 19 on the Hot Latin Charts. Following that, he released two more singles, and soon enough, Apple Music invited him to host its first Spanish-language show on Beats 1, titled Trap Kings. This was a pivotal moment in his career.

Throughout his career, Bad Bunny has had multiple Latin hits and collaborated with artists like Cardi B, whose track I Like It soared to number one on the Billboard charts in 2018. His collaboration with Drake on Mia further elevated his profile. His debut album, YHLQMDLG, reached 11th place on the Billboard 200, with subsequent projects like Oasis cementing his status as an international superstar, despite performing solely in Spanish.

In 2020, Bad Bunny made his Super Bowl halftime debut, sharing the stage with Shakira and Jennifer Lopez during the Latin-themed show in Miami. Since that moment, he’s ascended to become one of the top music acts worldwide, dominating both Latin charts and the Billboard 100, all while releasing seven studio albums in just eight years and touring globally.

Political Involvement and Activism

Even after his rise to fame, Bad Bunny remained outspoken about political matters. He criticized the federal government’s inadequate response to Hurricane Maria in 2017. In 2019, he returned to Puerto Rico, even cutting his tour short to protest against then-governor Ricardo Rosselló, who faced backlash for corruption and homophobic comments in leaked messages.

Known for his advocacy of LGBTQ+ rights, Bad Bunny wore a shirt on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show to bring attention to the murder of Alexa Negron Luciano, a transgender woman victimized by a hate crime. He also performed in drag in the music video for “Yo Pereo Sola,” which challenged conventional masculinity and spotlighted violence against women.

In 2024, Bad Bunny publicly scolded comedian Tony Hinchcliffe for disparaging Puerto Rico as a “floating island of trash” during a rally for Donald Trump.

The Super Bowl Halftime Controversy

When the NFL declared Bad Bunny as this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer, it ignited backlash from various right-wing commentators who labeled the move as “un-American,” despite Puerto Rico being a U.S. territory. This criticism quickly shifted toward questioning whether Bad Bunny’s Spanish-language music could truly represent “American values.”

During his 2025 tour, Bad Bunny chose to cancel shows in cities with a heavy ICE presence, expressing concerns for the safety of his team based solely on their skin color. Instead, he opted to return to Puerto Rico to perform there.

In explaining his decision to accept the Super Bowl invitation, Bad Bunny mentioned his desire to bring attention to a system that celebrates Latin American music while neglecting the systemic racism affecting the community. His outspoken views against President Trump have led to heightened scrutiny and backlash from the president’s supporters across the media.

• Bad Bunny joined WWE during a 2021 tour in Puerto Rico and continued to appear semi-regularly at the 2021 and 2022 Royal Rumble events, winning the 24/7 Championship and achieving a significant victory over Damian Priest at Backlash 2023.
• He hosted Saturday Night Live twice and served as the musical guest four times, frequently participating in sketches and collaborating with cast member Marcello Hernandez.
• Additionally, Bad Bunny has acted in five feature films, including F9, Super Express, Cassandro, Happy Gilmore 2, and Caught Stealing.